Category Archives: Diet And Food

Walmart Inc. has tapped nutrition-as-a-service platform Sifter SP Inc. to help customers achieve their personal wellness goals while grocery shopping either online and in-store. If a consumer is avoiding dairy, they can toggle on dairy-none in the Shop by Diet tool, and then scan the food item theyre interested in, and it will let you know if its an appropriate choice.

Walmart helps people save money so they can live better, which also means living healthier, noted the retailer. We want to make it convenient for our customers to find and buy groceries that meet their wellness goals, and we are excited to work with Sifter to launch the one-of-a-kind Shop by Diet tool to make eating better even easier.

The tool, powered by Sifters technology, enables Walmart customers to shop for foods and supplements based on the presence of allergens such as nuts or dairy, in accordance with medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease, and to support lifestyle diets ranging from vegan to keto to kosher. Shoppers can also use the Shop by Diet tool to sort through products based on responsible practices like grass-fed, or identify products that wont interact with certain medications.

Partnering with Walmart to support customer wellness is exciting for all of us at Sifter, said Andrew Parkinson, co-founder of Chicago-based Sifter, who with his brother, Thomas, also founded Peapod and ItemMaster. Our passion is to make healthy eating easy for everyone and we believe Walmarts Shop-by-Diet tool will help millions of its customers better manage their health through diet and nutrition.

The Walmart Shop-by-Diet tool is available online.

Employing a proprietary science-based sifting technology with 130-plus diet and nutrition filters, Sifters free interactive site enables users to find food products and dietary supplements based on their personal diet needs and preferences. The companys technology powers retail, brand and health care platforms.

According to Sifter, more than 200 million consumers are following a diet or health-related program, while 85 million shoppers have allergies or food avoidances.

Last September, Walmart rolled out Built for Better, described by Jane Ewing, the companys SVP, sustainability, as an online shopping destination that makes it easy for customers to identify and shop for products that are built better for them and for the planet.

Bentonville, Ark.-based Walmart operates approximately 10,500 stores under 48 banners in 24 countries, and e-commerce websites, employing 2.2 million-plus associates worldwide. Walmart U.S. is No. 1 on The PG 100, PGs 2021 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America.

Original post:
Walmart Shop by Diet Tool Powered by Sifter - Progressive Grocer

Jenna Jamesons keto lifestyle may have worsened her Guillain-Barr symptoms, according to a registered dietitian.

While the former porn star remains hospitalized as she recovers from the rare autoimmune disorder, Brigitte Zeitlin told The Post that living on a mostly high-fat, low-carb diet as Jameson is wont to do could have played a role in her severe symptoms that left her unable to walk.

I do think it does play a role in how severe her symptoms are because she is likely undernourished given a severe keto diet, Zeitlin said. If that is still the same type of keto she was following, yes, she would be undernourished.

The most common cause of Guillain-Barr is a food-borne bacterium called campylobacter, which is found in undercooked poultry. Given that meat and poultry are a large part of Jamesons keto lifestyle, the BZ Nutrition founder said it could have been what caused the former porn stars infection.

The amount of fruits and vegetables that shes not taking in can also mean that shes not getting in enough phytonutrients to keep her immune system strong to fight off the campylobacter before it got out of hand, Zeitlin explained.

Zeitlin also noted that there are a variety of other causes of Guillain-Barr including COVID-19, the flu and very rarely, vaccines; however, Jameson already denied the coronavirus jab caused her syndrome.

I did NOT get the jab or any jab. This is NOT a reaction to the jab, she shared on Instagram. Thank you for your concern. (Jameson has espoused anti-vaccine viewson her social media.)

Jamesons rep didnt return The Posts request for comment.

While Jameson, 47, has been hawking the keto diet since 2018 when she lost 80 pounds after giving birth to her daughter, Batel shes fallen off the wagon of the controversial diet, which caused her to gain 20 pounds.

The constant, extreme yo-yo dieting is another factor that can harm a persons immune system, Zeitlin warned.

It can put your body into states of chronic inflammation in general, she explained of Jamesons on-again, off-again methodology. Youre going to put your body into a state of heightened alert and chronic stress.

Theres no homeostasis. Theres no common ground. Theres no balance, and that can weaken your immune system.

Zeitlin advised that a healthy lifestyle includes all the food groups because they give your body a variety of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that you need to keep up a strong immune system to make sure that your nerves are communicating properly to each other.

She added, We want to make sure were eating the rainbow and good carbohydrates, really good solid, whole ancient grains.

According to the CDC, Guillain-Barr is a rare, autoimmune disorder in which a persons own immune system damages the nerves, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. The symptoms can last from weeks to several years but most make a full recovery.

Jameson and her partner, Lior Bitton, detailed her terrifying medical malady in a series of Instagram videos over the weekend that revealed she had been throwing up for two weeks before losing her muscle strength.

Her muscles in her legs were very weak. So she wasnt able to walk to the bathroom. She was falling on the way back or to the bathroom, I would have to pick her up and carry her to bed, Bitton said. And then within two days, it got really not so good, her legs started to not hold her, she wasnt able to walk.

Read the original here:
Jenna Jameson's keto diet may have affected her Guillain-Barr symptoms: dietitian - New York Post

Sue Murphy

By Sue Murphy

Boy, I had fun over the holidays ton of ice cream in the sink to melt and and boy, does it show. I dont want to brag, but I may have graduated to an entirely new pants size.

Thats not good, of course. Health issues and all that. Nope, its time to initiate the Dot Diet.

My Aunt Dot is a certified force of nature. At age 89, she is trim and sharp and spunky. Her energy level puts me to shame. When my sister and I arrived at her Florida house last November, she was rearranging a large pile of rocks in her flower beds, all of which she had personally hauled back from the beach at some point. Later, when I had the audacity to suggest that, instead of parking in the free lot across a busy thoroughfare, we might avail ourselves of a restaurant valet service, she snorted, Oh, Good Grief, Charlie Brown! The walk will do you good.

At the restaurant, my aunt ordered a salad with grilled shrimp but was quick to point out that this wasnt her usual fare. At home, she made vegetable stir fry every night, sometimes with broccoli, sometimes Brussels sprouts. Her mid-morning snack consisted of a handful of trail mix and three (count them, three) dried apricots. Her life wasnt all twigs and berries, though, because at the end of her main meal, she always allowed herself one peppermint patty.

Given that, over the holidays, I personally put away three (count them, three) truckloads of peppermint Christmas cookies, I knew it would be in my best interest to follow Aunt Dots example, at least for a while.

The cookies had to go. They were getting stale any- way, but that never stopped me before. I set the last carton of ice cream in the sink to melt and closed my eyes as I dumped the rest of the hot chocolate Chex mix directly into the trash. The peppermint patties I kept, because, thankfully, they were Dot Diet allowed, just not at my previous rate of consumption.

I can make stir-fry, but Id rather eat soup, so I decided to simply throw a boatload of similar vegetables into a pot with some broth and let them sim- mer. Dont tell Aunt Dot, but Im going to cheat and throw in a potato now and then. Theyre high in potassium, right? At least thats what Ive been telling myself all these years. Even if theyre not, for me, life without potatoes would be cruel and unusual punishment.

I know she told me, but I dont remember what Aunt Dot has for breakfast. I suspect its something like oatmeal, which Im doing already. Look at me being halfway to healthy! I dont think you get a peppermint patty after the oatmeal, though.

I know I cannot do the Dot Diet long term. There will be days when the smell of hot biscuits drifting from the Chick-fil-A drive-thru will get the best of me. I will come across a brownie in a bakery case that is distinctively calling my name. But, in the first few months (weeks?) of 2022, Im going to try to keep the picture of Aunt Dot firmly in mind and go forward as best I can. Just dont take away the peppermint patties. I can withstand a lot of culinary hardship if I know that theres a piece of chocolate waiting for me at the end.

So, here we go. Dot Diet Day One. Good Grief, Charlie Brown. I forgot to buy the apricots.

The rest is here:
Good Grief, Charlie Brown, It's The Dot Diet - Over the Mountain Journal

The Times is committed to reviewing theatrical film releases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because moviegoing carries risks during this time, we remind readers to follow health and safety guidelines as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials.

The French comedy/drama Delicious, set in the 18th century just prior to the Revolution, is an airy trifle about rich meals and serving up ones passion provided it isnt a form of servitude. That said, if your January is dedicated to repenting for gastronomic excesses over the holidays, director-writer ric Besnards sumptuously photographed mise en scne of so much culinary mise en place may be a tad masochistic, from the first close-up of a delicate pastry to the last shot of a spit-roasted fowl glistening in firelight. But should your New Years watching require the occasional break from grim awards fare and grimmer real-world news, you could do a lot worse than this well-intentioned tale of mirthful mouthfuls and other appetites.

We first meet master cook Manceron (Grgory Gadebois) in his element, grandly commandeering a buzzing kitchen as it prepares an ornate feast for his haughty employer, the Duke of Chamfort (Benjamin Lavernhe), and a coterie of guests. When these snobby gourmands scoff at the chefs inclusion of his own earthy creation, a tart made with potato and truffle pigs fodder, to their minds Manceron, too proud of his invention to apologize, is summarily humiliated and fired.

Retreating to the disused rural home/inn where he first learned baking from his now-deceased father, the disgraced Manceron vows to give up his lifes calling, even as his politically minded, Rousseau-reading son, Benjamin (Lorenzo Lefbvre), recognizes that Dad is finally free to do what he wants with his talents.

Sparking that possible renewal is the appearance of Louise (Isabelle Carr), a forthright woman with a closely guarded past who convinces the chauvinistic Manceron to take her on as an apprentice. She also believes his sparsely patronized stop for weary travelers seeking sustenance could be turned into an entirely new kind of eating place, one built around great cooking and hospitality, and meant to serve adventurous diners from all walks of life.

Story continues

Delicious, which Besnard co-wrote with Nicolas Boukhrief, may not be the true story of how the French restaurant was invented. (Paris got there first.) But as fictional origin yarns go, the verdant, picturesque patch of gently sloping countryside where the movie takes place makes for a mighty photogenic and alluring fantasy version of how we fell in love with going out to eat, even if with each new clumsily scripted inspiration (What about a range of dishes? Individual tables! Sliced bread!) you half expect the movie to go ahead and dramatize the first fly ever found in someones soup, or air-writing to signify asking for a bill.

Everything is vibrantly performed, too, with Gadebois shading his understandable arrogance with just enough professional and personal vulnerability to give Carr plenty of room to fill the rest of the space with an eager learners spirit and a wise womans know-how. Its as undemanding to root for their success as it is enjoyable to hate Lavernhes delectably dastardly Duke, whose pleasure in a meal is drawn as much from its trendy exclusivity and attractive opulence than any inherent tastiness.

Of course, the movie has its own bias toward whats eye-catchingly beautiful. With so much attention lavished on the visual allure of hearth-lit indoors, sun-dappled outdoors and mouthwatering food prep Jean-Marie Dreujous cinematography is coffee-table-book indulgent its easy to forgive the wanting story logic as the stakes get raised. On the one hand, the pull Manceron still feels to dazzle the aristocracy with his skills keeps the vile Duke on the margins in a tantalizing way especially as his power relates to the whispers of revolt in the air across France. But a late twist that heightens the possibility of revenge feels like one ingredient too many for a tale better suited to humor, warmth and awakened ardor than another version of The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover. Delicious thankfully realizes that, too, and sagely sticks to a comfort food vibe by the time its just desserts arrive.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Read more:
Review: A 'Delicious' cinematic trifle to wreck that New Year's diet - Yahoo News

Diet and supplement use may influence the microbiome and subsequent responses to immunotherapy, according to Jennifer McQuade, MD.

McQuade, an assistant professor of medical melanoma oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, recently spoke with Oncology Nursing News about recently published study findings, which suggest that high-fiber diets and lower probiotic use may be associated with improved immunotherapy response rates among patients with melanoma.

We know that the microbiome is actually mostly not genetically determined, but shaped by our environment, and very specifically by things that we consume, said McQuade. What we did [was conduct] a cohort study where we asked our patients about diet and supplement use when they were starting immunotherapy, and we were collecting microbiome specimens.

We found that patients that were consuming a high-fiber diet were actually significantly more likely to respond to immunotherapy. This is consistent with the fact that the bacteria that have been associated with response are bacteria that have no roles in fiber fermentation.

We followed up that finding with preclinical studies, she concluded. In mice, we actually found that by doing fiber deprivation, and fiber manipulation, we are able to then change response to cancer immunotherapy. On the flip side, [when] we also looked at probiotic use, we found that 31% of our patients were actually taking over the counter probioticsand that's probably driven by all of the attention that the microbiome has been gettingbut those patients were actually less likely to respond to immunotherapy.

Read the original:
Diet and Probiotics Influence Immunotherapy Responses in Melanoma - http://www.oncnursingnews.com/

B3 or Niacin is known to be helpful in lowering cholesterol levels

We are all aware of the importance of vitamins and minerals in our bodies. One such essential nutrient happens to be vitamin B3, also known as Niacin. The vitamin carries a large array of health benefits. Vitamin B3 or Niacin is known to be helpful in lowering cholesterol levels, regulating digestion, improving skin, promotingheart health, along with several other benefits. The vitamin can be consumed through a variety of food items and even found in the form of supplements. Explaining further, Dr Jaishree Sharad has dedicated her Instagram post to vitamin B3 (Niacin). In it, she also shared the daily dose requirement of the vitamin and its sources.

What are the benefits of Vitamin B3?

1) Anti-inflammatory

Studies prove that vitamin B3 has anti-inflammatory properties that can control inflammation.

2) Antioxidant

Antioxidants are important for the body since they prevent the damage of cells caused by free radicals. Vitamin B3 is rich in antioxidants.

3) Reduces pigment melanin

Melanin is a natural skin pigment. Vitamin B3 reduces the hyperpigmentation of the skin and thus, prevents it from getting darker.

4) Retains moisture and increases ceramides production

The presence of vitamin B3 helps in retaining moisture in the skin which is good. It also helps in increasing the production of ceramides (lipids present on the outer layer of the skin).

5) Controls acne

Acne on the skin is a major cause of concern for many people. Vitamin B3 aids in acne control.

What is the daily requirement of vitamin B3?

As per Dr Jaishree Sharad, one must consume 14g to 15g of Vitamin B3 per day.

Sources of vitamin B3 are as follows:

Dr Jaishree Sharad stated that vitamin B3 can be obtained from legumes, nuts, grain products, mushrooms. You can also consume it through non-vegetarian food items like chicken, pork, fish and eggs.Vitamin B3 can also be taken as an oral supplement, she said.

Take a look:

Now that you have these tips, you can include vitamin B3 into your diet mindfully.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

Waiting for response to load...

The rest is here:
Dr Jaishree Shares Importance Of Vitamin B3 And How You Can Add It To Your Diet - NDTV

ROSEMONT, Ill., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --It's that time of year when many Americans make New Year's resolutions to exercise more. While the focus may be on getting or staying active, experts with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) want you to consider how you can improve the health of your bones and joints so that you can stay strong and pain free for years to come. A balanced diet and a steady stream of nutrients most importantly calcium and Vitamin D can offer a proper foundation to any health-related resolution.

"Whether you are building a fitness routine from the ground up in 2022 or working to increase your intensity, it's important to consider your bone health before jumping in," says orthopaedic surgeon and AAOS spokesperson Barbara Jean Campbell, MD, FAAOS. "By giving your bones the nutrients they need, you can perform at your best and be one step closer to keeping your resolution in check."

According to Dr. Campbell, diet and nutrition should be more than just a note in your New Year's resolution playbook. Nutrients such as calcium and Vitamin D aid bone health and can help avoid future musculoskeletal conditions like osteoporosis or fractures. Calcium is a mineral that people need to get from their diet or supplements daily to help the body maintain strong bones and teeth. Calcium is actually vital for the functioning of all the cells in our bodies and if it is not provided by the diet it will be taken out of bone to maintain cell function. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, which helps the body absorb the calcium it needs to keep strong and has many other physiologic functions in cells.

"While getting enough Vitamin D from what we eat is difficult, supplements and even taking in a little bit of sunshine with skin precautions can help," added Dr. Campbell.

As the leading experts in musculoskeletal health, the AAOS suggests the following tips:

1.Identify Dietary Sources of CalciumPeople can get the recommended daily amount of calcium by eating a healthy diet that includes a variety of calcium-rich foods. Milk, yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products are the biggest food sources of calcium. Other high-calcium foods include:

2. Know How to Get Vitamin DVitamin D is often seen as the star of the show when it comes to proactive and preventive health care. Most recently, it has been linked COVID-19 prevention following studies1 that have shown a correlation between infected individuals and Vitamin D deficiency.

Dr. Campbell suggests going for a stroll outside each day to absorb some Vitamin D from the sun as well as to complete a cardio workout as part of your New Year's resolution to get moving. Regardless of whether the weather is cooperating, doctors recommend Vitamin D supplements for both adults and children. According to the Institute of MedicineFood and Nutrition Board, and the National Institutes of HealthOffice of Dietary Supplements, the Recommended Daily Allowances for Vitamin D among children is:

Recent research supports that adults need at least 1000 IU per day for good health depending on age and weight. Indeed, many people need much more than 1000 IU to keep Vitamin D levels in a good range.

Upper Safe Limit for Vitamin D Intake

Age

Male

Female

Pregnancy

Lactation

0-6 months

1000 IU

1000 IU

7-12 months

1500 IU

1500 IU

1-3 years

2500 IU

2500 IU

4-8 years

3000 IU

3000 IU

9 years

4000 IU

4000 IU

4000 IU

4000 IU

Reprinted and adapted with permission from Tables S-1 and S-2, Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D, 2011 by the National Academy of Sciences, Courtesy of the National Academies Press, Washington, D.C.

3.Understand the Impact of Other Key Nutrients on Bone HealthMany other nutrients most found naturally and at sufficient levels in a typical diet contribute to bone health and growth. They include:

Calcium and Vitamin D are essential for good bone health, but they must be consumed safely. If you are not sure what intake levels are right for you and your health needs, be sure to talk to your doctor.

For more information about calcium, nutrition, and bone health, visit OrthoInfo.org. To schedule an interview with an AAOS expert about additional ways to achieve optimal bone health or for tips on for preventing musculoskeletal injuries in the New Year, email [emailprotected].

About the AAOSWith more than 39,000 members, theAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeonsis the world's largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS is the trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal health. It provides the highest quality, most comprehensive education to help orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals at every career level best treat patients in their daily practices. The AAOS is the source for information on bone and joint conditions, treatments, and related musculoskeletal health care issues and it leads the health care discussion on advancing quality.

Follow the AAOS onFacebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, andInstagram.

1https://academic.oup.com/ajcp/article/155/3/381/60006892This is the amount that seems to prevent rickets, not the amount that will result in the healthiest bones. Rickets is a condition caused by a lack of Vitamin D which causes bone weakness, bowed legs, and other skeletal deformities, such as stooped posture.

SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Read the original post:
Resolve to Protect Your Bone and Joint Health in the New Year - PRNewswire

January 13th 1:08 pm | Michael B. Savitt

There is a lot of panic in our community over the omicron variant of COVID-19. There should not be! Yes, it is more contagious and spreading rapidly, but, and this is important, it appears omicron is not nearly as virulent as the alpha and delta variants were.

Data from other parts of the country and other countries indicate a shorter duration of several days and milder symptoms. Folks who have had omicron have described it as having a bad cold with muscle aches and fatigue. So, it is not the severity of the disease we should be concerned about but a large number of sick people.

Therefore, hospitals may face another surge and have problems with supplies and staffing due to the sheer volume, not the same severity. We should not be looking at positive case numbers alone. We should be looking at testing supplies, hospital admission rates, ICU beds, ventilators, oxygen, and medication availability.

We have been told the vaccines are not as helpful with omicron. There are studies that indicate boosters are making a difference. We are being told to mask up again. Let us talk about appropriate mask usage. Studies are now showing that cloth masks are not effective against omicron. Surgical/medical masks are not much better. The real protection, when fitted properly and used correctly, are the N95 and KN95 masks. Physical distancing, hand-washing, and adequate room ventilation are all very important.

Testing is important and a priority of Mayor Dave Bronson and his administration. Whether it's with the multiple testing sites across the city (anchoragecovidtest.org) or with rapid testing, this allows us to know if we can safely go out or if we need to stay home.

Remember, exercise and a healthy diet are more important than ever. We are in a much better situation than before. We have experience with this disease. We have vaccinations. We have treatments. Most importantly, we have a variant that, although much more contagious, is much less virulent. No, the sky is not falling!

Michael B. Savitt, M.D., serves as chief medical officer for the Anchorage Health Department.

See the article here:
The sky is not falling. We have the tools to fight omicron. - Arctic Sounder

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 29, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Red-meat lovers may raise their risk of heart disease through a chain of events that plays out in the gut, a new study suggests.

Many studies over the years have tied diets heavy in red and processed meats to a heightened risk of heart disease and stroke. That type of evidence does not, however, prove red meat is the problem -- or, if it is, why.

The new findings offer more clues about the "why."

Researchers found that particular gut bacteria, more abundant in red-meat eaters, are key in turning a dietary nutrient called carnitine into a foe: a chemical known as TMAO, which helps promote blood-clotting and clogged arteries.

For the average person, the insights reinforce what's already known about heart-healthy eating, said study co-author Dr. Stanley Hazen, who directs Cleveland Clinic's Center for Microbiome and Human Health.

In particular, he pointed to the traditional Mediterranean diet, which has been shown in clinical trials to cut the risks of heart disease and stroke.

That diet is high in fish, fruits and vegetables, legumes, olive oil and nuts -- and low in red meat and processed foods.

The new study was published Dec. 23 in Nature Microbiology. It is among the latest to delve into the relationship among diet, the gut microbiome and human health.

"Microbiome" refers to the vast collection of bacteria and other microbes that naturally inhabit the human body, especially the gut. Research in recent years has begun to reveal just how vital those gut microbes are -- not only in digestion, but in immune system defenses, brain function and the health of the cardiovascular system.

It's well-established, Hazen said, that people with diets high in red meat typically have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke than those who eat little red meat.

The traditional suspect was saturated fat, found almost exclusively in animal products. Saturated fat can boost "bad" LDL cholesterol, which contributes to cardiovascular disease.

But, Hazen said, research has shown that any ill effects of saturated fat are not enough to explain the excess heart disease risks linked to heavy red-meat consumption. There had to be other mechanisms.

The new findings point to one, said Lauri Wright, chair of nutrition and dietetics at the University of North Florida, in Jacksonville.

There is still much to learn about the gut microbiome, said Wright, who is also a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. But in general, she said, diets rich in foods like vegetables, fruits and high-fiber grains help "feed" beneficial gut microbes.

"It still goes back to food," Wright said.

Hazen, too, said he is a "big supporter" of using diet to change the gut microbiome, rather than adding certain bugs via probiotic supplements.

"Changing your diet changes the soil" that feeds gut microbes, he explained.

The latest findings build on earlier work by Hazen and his colleagues focusing on TMAO. The chemical is generated when gut bacteria break down carnitine, a nutrient particularly abundant in red meat.

The researchers had already shown that TMAO appears to raise the risk of heart disease and stroke. And in a 2019 study, they found that adding red meat to healthy people's diets for a short time boosts blood levels of TMAO. Those levels went back down, though, when red meat was swapped for either white meat or vegetable proteins.

In the latest study, looking at both humans and lab mice, the researchers found that a cluster of gut bacteria -- within a group called Emergencia timonensis -- transform carnitine into TMAO. While meat-eaters harbor a decent amount of those microbes, longtime vegetarians and vegans have very few.

In the experiments with mice, the researchers found that introducing E. timonensis boosted TMAO levels and the blood's propensity to form clots.

The researchers also analyzed stool samples from people who took part in the 2019 diet study. They found that when participants were eating a lot of red meat, their stool harbored more of the culprit E. timonensis microbes; when they switched to non-meat protein sources, those microbial levels dropped.

There are blood tests available to measure people's TMAO levels. And Hazen said that these could potentially allow health-care providers to give patients more personal diet advice: If someone's TMAO levels were high, limiting red meat would be particularly important.

But what you take in, Wright noted, is as important as what you limit. She said that fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi, which contain certain microbes, can be good choices. But again, she stressed, overall diet is what's key in supporting a healthy gut.

More information

The American Heart Association has advice on heart-healthy eating.

SOURCES: Stanley Hazen, MD, PhD, director, Center for Microbiome and Human Health, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio; Lauri Wright, PhD, RDN, assistant professor, chair, nutrition and dietetics, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Fla.; Nature Microbiology, Dec. 23, 2021, online

See original here:
Science Reveals How Red Meat Harms the Heart - HealthDay News

Getty

The start of a new year means a new slate. Many take the opportunity to try something different, especially when it comes to health. You might be consideringdietingor setting a goal tolose weight.

The pressure to get fit or shed holiday weight is significantly higher at the beginning of the year. As a woman, I feel the extra obligation to stay slim. I began wondering what other women have to say about the demands to lose weight and diet.

I scoured the internet and my bookshelf for the best body-positive books out there, written by women who understand the burden of societal expectations. I read reviews from other well-known authors, critics and media organizations and researched what other bookworms had to say. From those critiques, I drew up this curated list of the most popular and celebrated books about loving your own body.

Whether your New Year's resolution is to work out, try a new diet, accept yourself more or just read, these books are for all of us.

Established writer, professor andavid Twitter user, Roxane Gay published her seventh book and first memoir, Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body, in 2017. It quickly became a New York Times Best Seller for its honesty about weight gain and the struggle with food, health and body image.

I currently have two other books by Roxane Gayon my bookshelf: Bad Feminist and Not That Bad. Both are a collection of essays from Gay and other contributing writers. I'm a fan of creative nonfiction, and Gay captures exactly what I love about the genre in all three books -- authenticity.

In Hunger, Gay explains that her memoir is not a weight-loss success story and that she won't be describing how she went from a plus-size to thin. (Spoiler alert: She doesn't lose any weight.) Instead, what Gay learns is much more, such as self-love, compassion, companionship and acceptance.

Another reason why I enjoy this memoir is that Gay doesn't write from a pedestal. Instead, she speaks to her audience directly and in ways someone who has also struggled with body acceptance would understand.

"This is a book about my body, about my hunger, and ultimately, this is a book about disappearing and being lost and wanting so very much, wanting to be seen and understood. This is a book about learning, however slowly, to allow myself to be seen and understood." -- Roxane Gay

You might like this book if

You enjoy raw, vulnerable work or prefer nonfiction or memoir writing. This book is for those who aren't looking for that perfect fairytale ending but seeking a piece of work that is human and relatable.

Following a very successful online career, blogger, photographer and self-love advocate, Jes Baker published her first book, Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls: A Handbook for Unapologetic Living. Her blog,The Militant Baker, has been featured in prominent media outlets, such as Time Magazine, People, Buzzfeed and CNN.

Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls: A Handbook for Unapologetic Livingdetails the life-changing movement of learning to love your body. At the forefront of the fight, Baker encourages her readers to reject fat-shame and to challenge preconceived notions about the "perfect body."

Baker writes that her book is for those with a body who are sick and tired of apologizing for it. She believes that you should be allowed and expected to do all the things that make you happy, which includes just being able to live your life.

A unique aspect of this book is that it includes challenges. Baker calls them "The Fat People: Do All the Things" challenges. The idea is based on one of her satirical blog posts calling out things fat people are told they aren't allowed to do. Readers can choose to participate by accepting these challenges.

"We are more likely to be told by the world that we are good people than anything else. Funny, creative, intelligent, commutative, generous, maybe even extraordinary. What we are not told is that our bodies are perfect just the way they are. Like, ever. We are taught that our outsides are flawed, and not only that, but the majority of our worth lies in our physical appearance." -- Jes Baker

You might like this book if

You are someone who wants something more from a book. Jes Baker's guide is for those who want to make the lessons in this book and the movement of self-love a lifestyle.

If you've followed any body positivity accounts or body-positive women on Instagram in the past couple of years, chances are you've already heard of this book by Caroline Dooner. As an ex-dieter, Dooner has healed her unhealthy obsession with food and weight.

Dooner believes that you don't need to change your diet or try something new -- you need to change the way you think about food. She says diets aren't sustainable, at least not in the long run, and thinks that putting your body through constant dieting and binging is not a healthy or enjoyable way to live.

A memoir with heart and humor, The F*ck it Diet: Eating Should Be Easy encourages readers toeat. That means understanding when your body is hungry and meeting your body's needs with food. Dooner says eating should be simple, and she breaks it down to its truest and natural form.

"When you eat, you are actually bringing 'the earth' into your body -- tying you to the planet and keeping you alive. It's bringing weight to your physical existence. The act of eating and coming back into your body is asking you to accept being human. It is asking us to integrate with the most uncomfortable, messy, earthly, painful, and base parts of our existence." -- Caroline Dooner

You might like this book if.

You're looking for a laugh while you read, Dooner does a great job describing and poking fun at the struggles we all face. The book, which resembles laughing and conversing with a friend, is for those looking to no longer feel guilty for eating and gaining weight.

Former beauty fanatic Anuschka Rees wrote Beyond Beautiful: A Practical Guide to Being Happy, Confident, and You in a Looks-Obsessed World as a captivating self-care publication. Don't just take my word for it -- Caroline Dooner (author of The F*ck it Diet above) called this book a "self-confidence bible that every woman should read."

Beyond Beautifulreads like a guide for a college course, and the first chapter is adequately named Body Image 101. This book has taught me a lot, for instance, I had never heard of the term "body neutral." Rees explains that being body positive is a step in the right direction, as we need to change beauty standards in society, but we also need to be body neutral. It's a call to respect ourselves as human beings, not just body parts that we shrink and pick apart.

Rees's guide is unique in that over 600 real women were interviewed about their struggles with body image. Their quotes and real-life stories are scattered throughout the chapters. There are also reflection questions, colorful artwork and advice about when and how to receive professional help.

"A healthy body image is a bit like a great work-life balance: we know we definitely want it, but we are not 100 percent clear on what it actually looks like, or how to get it. And the fact that body image is a hot topic right now hasn't made things any more straightforward; because mixed in with all the good advice, there is a whole bunch of conflicting information and misconceptions that have muddied the waters further." -- Anuschka Rees

You might like this book if.

You are looking to take a crash course on positive body image and self-love. I would recommend this guide to those new to the present-day movement who want to learn but don't know where to start.

Lindy West began her writing career as an opinion writer for The New York Times. With this professional background, you wouldn't expect West to produce such a comical piece of writing as her memoir, Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman.

The title of this memoir might sound familiar to you -- as it did to me -- because the book has recently been adapted into aHulu seriesof the same name, starring Aidy Bryant fromSaturday Night Live. Bryant's performance in the series earned her a nomination for a 2021 Primetime Emmy asOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

West's Shrill: Notes from a Loud Womanis a feminist, and most times, humorous, take on women's body image. It describes the experience of many women who feel they need to shrink themselves down to hide and to blend into society. West writes about her personal struggles with body weight and that exact feeling.

"Please don't forget, I am my body. When my body gets smaller, it is still me. When my body gets bigger, it is still me. There is not a thin woman inside of me awaiting excavation. I am one piece." -- Lindy West

You might like this book if

You're looking to expand your library on feminist commentary, especially around body positivity. This memoir is also for those who enjoy or are interested in Roxanne Gay's Hunger. Both are from the same genre and tell a story with intimate detail.

Our Health & Wellness newsletter puts the best products, updates and advice in your inbox.

This is far from an exhaustive list of body-positive books. As this movement becomes more popular, I hope this list grows and the audience expands.

These books are important because they offer a voice to those who feel shamed or discounted by diet and exercise-excessive culture. They also provide a supportive community for those who struggle with society's beauty and weight standards.

Positive body image and self-love are ideals that everyone should bring into the new year. Here's hoping these books encourage and guide you into a more profound love of self.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

View original post here:
Top body-positive books to read in 2022 - CNET